Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, May 6: For the first time in Karnataka, a national-level surfing festival will be held at Panambur beach here from May 29 to 31. The Indian Open of Surfing (IOS) Surfing Festival is being organized by the Surfing Federation of India (SFI).

Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim on Wednesday May 6 unveiled the logo of the surfing festival at his office here.

Addressing the gathering, SFI vice-president Ram Mohan Paranjape said, "The surfing festival will be held on May 29, 30 and 31. Bollywood actor Sunil Shetty has agreed to inaugurate the event and judges from Thailand and Indonesia will judge the competitions," he said.

"The surfing festival will be held in four categories - under 16 years, 17 - 22 years (juniors), 23 - 28 years (seniors) and above 28 years (masters). Winners will be awarded with cash prizes and the total combined cash prize to be awarded will be Rs 6 lac.

"More than 100 surfers from across India are expected participate in the three-day event. We have already registered 20 participants," he added.

"The surfing festival will also have a music festival in the evening. Surfers who are interested in participating can visit www.indiaopenofsurfing.com," he informed.

Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim said, "The tourism department wants to promote tourism in the city through this surfing festival. This event has been organized to promote surfing and we will send proposal to the government to make this an annual event."